Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Jizan and Playa del Carmen

For one person, living is cheaper in Jizan: $928 a month against $1,202 in Playa del Carmen, rent and utilities included – about $3,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Jizan, Saudi Arabia
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Jizan
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$928
/mo nomad
Playa del Carmen
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,202
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Jizan and in Playa del Carmen

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Jizan and in Playa del Carmen actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $928 per month in Jizan vs $1,202 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Jizan $928
  • Playa del Carmen $1,202

A couple spends around $1,525 per month in Jizan vs $2,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Jizan $1,525
  • Playa del Carmen $2,082

A family of three spends $2,122 per month in Jizan vs $2,962 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Jizan $2,122
  • Playa del Carmen $2,962

Jizan is about 23% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Jizan and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Jizan 31% lower, Playa del Carmen 11% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.34 SAR 20.04
$10.67 MX$198
-49.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.65 SAR 141
$43.80 MX$813
-14.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.17 SAR 26.91
$11.79 MX$219
-39.19%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.70 SAR 6.39
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.90 SAR 7.15
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.13 SAR 11.75
$3.79 MX$70.3
-17.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 SAR 2.80
$1.30 MX$24.07
-42.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 SAR 1.05
$0.83 MX$15.47
-66.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.15 MX$58.4
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.93 MX$91.6
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.67 SAR 6.25
$1.41 MX$26.14
18.44%
White Bread (500g)
$0.98 SAR 3.69
$2.20 MX$40.75
-55.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.14 SAR 8.05
$1.47 MX$27.33
45.58%
Eggs
$2.96 SAR 11.11
$2.50 MX$46.34
18.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.79 SAR 29.22
$7.29 MX$135
6.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.21 SAR 19.54
$7.95 MX$148
-34.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.50 SAR 54.4
$12.86 MX$239
12.75%
Apples (1kg)
$1.85 SAR 6.96
$2.90 MX$53.8
-36.21%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 SAR 5.89
$1.38 MX$25.67
13.77%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.12 SAR 7.96
$2.49 MX$46.23
-14.86%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.48 SAR 5.56
$2.03 MX$37.67
-27.09%
Potato (1kg)
$1.34 SAR 5.03
$2.02 MX$37.58
-33.66%
Onion (1kg)
$1.47 SAR 5.52
$1.90 MX$35.32
-22.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.28 SAR 4.79
$1.14 MX$21.24
12.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75 SAR 2.81
$1.24 MX$22.99
-39.52%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.64 SAR 6.14
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83 SAR 6.89
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62 SAR 6.08
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.62 SAR 24.86
$4.27 MX$79.3
55.04%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$9.81 MX$182
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.59 MX$29.43
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.75 MX$51.0
-
🚌 Getting Around
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.09 SAR 4.08
$0.51 MX$9.56
113.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.84 SAR 85.7
$27.39 MX$508
-16.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.69 SAR 10.10
$4.76 MX$88.4
-43.49%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.41 SAR 12.78
$3.25 MX$60.3
4.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.10 SAR 60.4
$5.39 MX$100
198.70%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.65 SAR 2.44
$1.53 MX$28.36
-57.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.1K SAR 161.8K
$21.2K MX$393.7K
103.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.2K SAR 64.6K
$23.3K MX$431.7K
-26.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$105 SAR 395
$83.5 MX$1,549
26.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.04 SAR 135
$23.19 MX$430
55.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.7 SAR 239
$27.61 MX$512
130.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$97.1 SAR 364
$56.4 MX$1,047
72.02%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.39 SAR 140
$28.19 MX$523
32.64%
Cinema Ticket
$15.78 SAR 59.2
$5.00 MX$92.8
215.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$202 SAR 758
$207 MX$3,843
-2.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,059 SAR 15.2K
$5,231 MX$97.1K
-22.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.36 SAR 125
$43.45 MX$806
-23.22%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.5 SAR 208
$42.54 MX$789
30.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$120 SAR 450
$72.8 MX$1,350
64.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.35 SAR 178
$88.4 MX$1,640
-46.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$270 SAR 1,013
$995 MX$18.5K
-72.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$131 SAR 492
$382 MX$7,097
-65.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$484 SAR 1,817
$1,674 MX$31.1K
-71.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$353 SAR 1,325
$1,081 MX$20.1K
-67.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$796 SAR 2,986
$3,909 MX$72.5K
-79.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$6,138 MX$113.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jizan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,609 SAR 6,039
$832 MX$15.4K
93.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
11.45
-56.33%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Jizan: November 1, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jizan
$205
Playa del Carmen
$134 34.5% $71
Groceries & Markets
Jizan
$195
Playa del Carmen
$257 31.7% $62
Accommodation & Living
Jizan
$131
Playa del Carmen
$382 192% $251
Sport & Entertainment
Jizan
$129
Playa del Carmen
$66 48.3% $62
Clothing & Footwear
Jizan
$115
Playa del Carmen
$111 3.5% $4
Eating Out
Jizan
$106
Playa del Carmen
$200 89.1% $94
Getting Around
Jizan
$47
Playa del Carmen
$50 7.6% $3.6

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $270 in Jizan versus $995 in Playa del Carmen. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 93% higher in Jizan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Jizan versus $44 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $195 vs $257 – making Jizan the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇸🇦 Jizan
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🕒 Local time
01:17 1:17 AM
17:17 5:17 PM
8 h behind Jizan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,743
149,923
💱 Currency
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, USD, EUR to SAR – Saudi Riyal Converter

Saudi Riyal exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.266 USD). 1 EUR = 4.21 SAR (1 SAR = 0.237 EUR).

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 18.56 MXN (100 MXN = 5.39 USD). 1 EUR = 20.83 MXN (100 MXN = 4.8 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Jizan Playa del Carmen 13,120 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Jizan
  • Playa del Carmen

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Jizan vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jizan or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen costs about 30% more than Jizan, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Jizan and in Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,392 per month in Jizan and $1,804 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Jizan or Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jizan, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $270 there versus $995 in Playa del Carmen.
How much does it cost to live in Jizan compared to Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $928 in Jizan and $1,202 in Playa del Carmen. That makes Jizan about 23% cheaper.
How expensive is transport in Jizan compared to Playa del Carmen?
Public transport costs about 17% less in Jizan. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $800/month in Jizan or in Playa del Carmen?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $928 in Jizan and $1,202 in Playa del Carmen. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Jizan or Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $928 in Jizan to $1,202 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Jizan is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 23% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Jizan vs other spots: cost of living compared

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